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Liverpool are exploring a move to cut across Arsenal’s next transfer plan.

With the Gunners having already sealed a deal for Bruno Guimaraes and their ambitious chase for Vinicius Jr now finished, Arsenal are in the market for a new defender, with Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa placed high on their shortlist.

However, with Liverpool also seeking extra cover in defence, the Reds could yet deal another setback to the Premier League champions away from the spotlight.

According to The Guardian, Konsa has now emerged on Liverpool’s radar as Arne Slot searches for the right partner for Virgil van Dijk in central defence.

With Ibrahima Konate having departed for Real Madrid and Van Dijk now 35 years old, there is a clear need to strengthen depth at the back — particularly because both Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are still young and are returning from injuries.

Jacquet and Victor Munoz are the only two arrivals at Anfield so far this summer, while Andoni Iraola’s shortage of options was underlined when his assistant, former Bournemouth captain Tommy Elphick, had to step in at centre-back during a recent training session.

Konsa also offers the added advantage of being able to operate at right-back, a position that has been troublesome for both Arsenal and Liverpool.

FourFourTwo understands that the North London club have been juggling several transfer pursuits, with the £60 million asking price being one the champions have so far been unwilling to match while also chasing players such as Vinicius Jr and Bruno Guimaraes.

Interest from Mikel Arteta’s childhood friend Iraola could push the Gunners to complete the transfer, especially with Ben White and Jurrien Timber both having suffered injuries that have ruled them out of the World Cup.

There are also concerns over William Saliba’s fitness, which could make Konsa a useful option in that area as well.

“With the centre-back, with the right-back situation, in terms of defensive depth, we are, I think, very thin right now,” Iraola admitted recently.

Joe Gomez is also set to miss the start of the season because of injury.

According to Transfermarkt, Konsa is valued at €45m. Liverpool face Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the new season.